Top Stories - Topics from April, 2011

Alcohol might soon be sold on the Sundays in some Georgia communities, but don’t expect Madison County to be first in the beer line.

County commissioners say they’re not eager to bring beer and wine sales to the Sabbath here.

“I won’t even put it on the agenda — as far as my feelings on it,” said county commission chairman Anthony Dove. “Two commissioners would have to vote on it in an open session to put it on the agenda.”

Commissioner John Pethel said he doesn’t want to see any sales on Sunday.[Full Story »]

Madison County’s 911 center received only one storm-related call early Thursday morning when a massive storm system rolled through Georgia.

The 911 office received a report of a tree across Neese-Commerce Road at Minish Cemetery Road around 2:25 a.m. Thursday.

But the weather system that moved through Georgia during the early morning hours was historic. As of 10:45 a.m. Thursday, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution was reporting a death toll in the South of 200, including 13 in Georgia and 131 in Alabama. [Full Story »]

A severely emaciated dog that was turned in to the Madison-Oglethorpe Animal Shelter by his owner in January has been adopted into a new home, shelter officials report.

One-year old “Hendrix,” a Great Dane/lab mix, weighed only 37 pounds when he was surrendered. A staff veterinarian estimated his weight should have been about 70 pounds and that he was suffering from “gross negligence.”

Madison County citizens will have a decision to make next year on the future condition of county roads: Should they vote “Yes” or “No” on a one-cent regional road tax?

Of course, Madison County leaders point to the projected $1.4 million for the county in annual sales tax revenue as the primary reason to vote “Yes.” If the one-cent tax is approved, one-fourth of the funds raised in the region will be split among the 12 counties to use at their own discretion.

Madison County doesn’t generate much in sales tax revenue compared to some of its neighbors, but there are a lot of road miles in the county, which helps the county in road-funding projections. And based on early estimates, the county stands to gain $1.4 million in sales tax revenue annually, according to BOC chairman Anthony Dove.

The city of Danielsville has funds left from a five-year-old water and sewer loan, but the city council will let the bank keep the rest of the money.

Danielsville leaders took the unusual step April 11, agreeing to give up the remaining $142,000 from a 2006 loan from BB&T.

The action followed a recommendation by city attorney Dale Perry, who advised the group that roughly $340,000 of the $610,000 loan acquired by the former council had not been used for its intended purpose in previous years.

The loan qualified as “tax exempt,” according to the Department of Community Affairs, provided that the loan was used for water and sewer upgrades in the city.[Full Story »]

The city of Ila changed the way residents will be allowed to voice concerns to the city. If a citizen wishes to address the council, he or she must be placed on the agenda prior to the meeting.

The council approved the change April 4 to require residents to be on the agenda after council member Peggy Freeman voiced the concern that if the council allowed everyone that just showed up to a meeting to speak, things could get out of hand.

Council member Troy Butler seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous to approve the change, after which city clerk Susan Steed said that the agendas are created one week prior to the meeting dates and items to be placed on the agenda would be needed at that time. The council meets the first Monday of each month.

Madison County’s Hannah Baird will be honored with a 2011 Yes I Can! Award from the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) later this month.

The 21-year-old Madison County resident was born with Down Syndrome and has “overcome great obstacles to participate in a variety of extracurricular activities, inspiring people across her community,” CEC officials said.

Each year, CEC honors 27 students with disabilities who have excelled. Awards are given in nine categories: academics, arts, athletics, community service, employment, extracurricular activities, independent living skills, self-advocacy and technology. Baird earned distinction in the “extracurricular activities” category.

Madison County’s Industrial Development and Building Authority (IDA) received a $2,014,136 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan/grant package from the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) recently to finance the purchase of Blacks Creek Church Road water lines currently owned by the city of Commerce.

The funds will also be used to install new water lines down Neese Diamond Hill Road, across Hwy. 106 South then down Neese Commerce Road to Hwy. 98 West and then to the Jackson/Madison county line, where there will be a tie-in with the Commerce water system.

Water lines will also be extended from Neese Diamond Hill Road down Hwy. 29 South to Bryant Drive, where the lines will be tied in with the Hull-Sanford water system.